Thermostatic-control fan for internal-combustion engines



- Dec. 17, 1929. o, s, JERVAN 1,740,095

THERMOSTATIC CONTROL FAN FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Feb. 28, 1927 0143 5. era/a Patented Dec. 17,- 929 OLE 8. WV, MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN :rrm'nuosunc-eomnor. ran r03 INTERNAL-COMBUSTION enemas Application flled lebruary 28, 1927. Serial No. 171,704.

I This invention relates to a thermostatic control fan for internal combustion engines. Objects of this invention are to provide a novel mode of controlling the temperature of theengine by controlling the annular setting of the vanes or blades of the rotary cooling fan by means of a thermostaticdevice associated with the engine, so thatwhen the engine is relatively cool, the fan blades will be set in neutral position, and as the en ine heats, the blades will be angularly ad]usted to pass more and more air through the radiator and against the engine for cooling purposes.

' Further objects are. to provide a novel form of device which may be readily associated with existing types of internal combustion engines a d which does not require. the mounting of Eshutter externally of the radiator, but instead utilizes a rotary fan in which adjustable blades are mounted and controlled by a. thermostat associated withthe engine, preferably controlled by the temperature of the. circulating water.

Further objects are to provide an eminently practical form of device which is easy to construct mechanically, which may be cheaply manufactured, and which is sub-' stantially fool-proof in operation and does so not require any thought on the part of the operator. I 1

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1' is a side elevation of the device with parts in section showing it applied to an internal combustion engine, suc as that used upon automobiles; Figure 2 is a front view of the fan, drawn to an enlarged scale; Figure 3 isa side elevation of the fan drawn to an enlarged scale with parts of the device in section and showing in full lines the blades in neutral position, and in.

dotted lines showing the blades angularly set.

. Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the usual internal combustion engine 1 has been illustrated as associated with a radiator 2 in the usual manner. The thermostatic device is indicated generally by the refereneccharacter 2 and is preferably connected tothe upper portion of the radiator and to the outgoing pipe 3 of the water cooling system. A bracket 4 is bolted to the front end of the engine and pivotallylcarries a lever 5, the upper short end of which is connected by means of a link 7 with the diaphragm of the thermostatic device. Preferably, a spring 8 is interposed between the bracket and the lower elongated end of the lever tending to draw the lever towards the engine against the actipn of the thermostatic device. I

The fan is mounted upon a stationary shaft 9 projecting from the bracket 10 bolted to the front end of the engine. A sleeve 11 is revolubly mounted upon the shaft 9, as shown in Figure 3, particularly, and a nut or similar member 12'is carried by the outer end of the shaft to prevent, removal of the sleeve.

his sleeve carries a plurality of radial arms 13 whose outer ends are riveted or otherwise secured to a circular band 14. The adjustable blades 15 are mounted between the hub 16 rigidly carried by the sleeve 11 and the band 14. For example, the blades may be provided with outer trunnions or pivot pins 17 pivotally mounted in the band 14 and with inner pivot pins 18 pivotally mounted in the hub 16. Each blade is provided with a projecting arm 19 which is connected by means of a link, 20 with a slidable hub 21 secured against rotation with reference to the sleeve 11 by means of the keys 22 (see Figure 3). The hub is provided with a groove 23 within which the forked end of the lever 5 operates, as shown in Figure 1, so that when the thermostatic device expands, the lower end of the lever is rocked forwardly, thus carrying the slidable hub forwardly and rocking the vanes into their position for delivering the greatest quantity of air.. As the thermostatic device contracts, the'hub is moved rearwardly towards the engine and the-vanes are rocked towards their neutral position, as shown in full linesin Figures 2 and 3. Thus, the amount of air drawn through the radiator and projected against the engine is directly dependent upon the temperature in the C11- culatory system.

' tion in a maniier to insure the utmost efi'i In order to limit the extreme positions of the blades a. pair of adjustable screws. 24 and 25 are carried by an extension 26 of the- I. bracket 4, as shown in Figure 1, and con- 7 stitute abutments against which the lever 5 strikes. These screws 24 and 25 respectively control the greatest angular deflection and the minimum angular deflection so that anyv range of movement of the blades can be secured.

Any suitable means may be employed for driving the fan. Preferably, apulley is rig- I g idly secured to the sleeve 11 and is driven v by the fan belt 27 in the usual-manner. r

It will be seen that in practicing this 111- vention no shutter or other mechanism of this type is required for the radiator, and the control is secured wholly by the angular adjustment of the fan blades.

It hasbeen found that this device can be readily made and easily assembled and mounted upon an engine and that it will funcciency, ease of starting-and correct temper- .ature control for the engine.

Although the invention has been described in considerable-detail, such description is in- I tended as illustrative rather than limiting as the invention may be variously embodied and as the scope of such-invention is to be determined as claimed.

I claim: a

In aninternal combustion engine having a cooling system and a radiator, the combination of a thermostatic member carried by said radiator and having a projecting portion moved in accordance with temperature changes in the circulating system, saidengine having a driven fan associated with said radiator and having pivotally mounted blades, said blades having cranks thereoma hub slidably mounted with reference to said fan and having links joining said cranks, said hub having a peripheral groove, a bracket mounted upon said engine and having an upwardly projecting arin and av pair of out wardly projecting portion-s, limit screws threaded through outwardly projecting portions, alever pivoted to said upwardly projecting armand operating between said limit screws, a spring urging said lever in one direction, said lever being moved in the other direction by said thermostatic member, said lever having a forked lower end adapted to cooperate with the groove in said hub. to shift said hub and thereby vary the angular sch ting of saidfan blades, all portions of said bracket lever and hub being mounted externally of said engine and radiator.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin.

OLE s. J'ERVAN, 

